08/17/2026
BUA is delighted to present the 2026 Distinguished Alumni Award to Kelly O’Grady ‘09 for her influential work at the intersection of journalism, business, and technology.
This annual award, launched in 2022, goes to an alumnus/a who best exemplifies the values of BUA and has used those qualities to make an impact on their community and the world around them. Recipients are nominated and selected by the BUA Alumni Council.
After graduating from BUA in 2009, Kelly earned her BA in Social Studies and East Asian Studies from Harvard University. She later returned for graduate school, receiving her MBA from Harvard Business School.
Kelly now works at CBS News, where she is the co-host of CBS Saturday Morning. She also serves as a correspondent covering business, economics and technology, and as an anchor for CBS News 24/7 Mornings on the network’s streaming service.
Before joining CBS News, she worked at McKinsey & Company, advising CEOs and top industry managers on their most pressing business challenges. She also developed deep expertise in finance as a member of Disney’s Corporate Strategy team. Kelly also held the title of Miss Massachusetts USA. She now calls New York home, with her husband Caleb and French bulldog named Biggie.
Kelly is a member of BUA’s Alumni Council, and we are grateful for her continued commitment to the school.
Keep an eye out for the Fall 2026 edition of Odyssey, the magazine of Boston University Academy, which will feature a Q&A with Kelly about her work and career trajectory. Kelly will also give an All-School Meeting talk later this school year, and the BUA community will be invited to attend.
